In terms of 2D platformer series, DKC reigns supreme for me, and among this series, DKC2 is easily the series' peak. It kept everything great about DKC1 and improved on all its shortcomings. Unique and challenging bonus levels as opposed to the uniform ones we got in DKC1. Speaking of challenge, DKC2 is much more challenging than DKC1 and that's not strictly accounting for the Lost World. They also did a great job of incorporating more of the animal buddies and their unique mechanics into more levels; felt like only Enguarde was a required mechanic to master in the 1st game.

Awesome game through and through. I wish I had experienced it as a kid, but glad I eventually got around to playing it now.